Positive yarn feeding device

ABSTRACT

A positive yarn feeding device for circular knitting machines having a base plate adapted to be fixed to a frame member. A twoended tubular member is secured to the base plate at one end thereof and extends perpendicularly thereto. A yarn storage member is affixed to the tubular member adjacent the other end thereof and in spaced relation with the base plate, with the space between the tubular member and the base plate being occupied by substantially hollow yarn winding means mounted for rotation about the tubular member. The yarn winding means includes a pair of ears radially and axially spaced from each other for winding and unwinding yarn from the storage member at the same angular velocity.

United States Patent 1 Deniega POSITIVE YARN FEEDING DEVICE Inventor: Jose Castillo Deniega, Elmhurst,

Assignee: Wesco Industries Corp., Plainview,

Filed: Aug. 20, 1973 Appl. No.: 390,124

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,461,657 8/1969 Scragg et al. 57/34 HS X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,942,062 3/1971 Germany 242/47.12

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Jan. 7, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A positive yarn feeding device for circular knitting machines having a base plate adapted to be fixed to a frame member. A two-ended tubular member is secured to the base plate at one end thereof and extends perpendicularly thereto. A yarn storage member is affixed to the tubular member adjacent the other end thereof and in spaced relation with the base plate, with the space between the tubular member and the base plate being occupied by substantially hollow yarn winding means mounted for rotation about the tubular member. The yarn winding means includes a pair of ears radially and axially spaced from each other for winding and unwinding yarn from the storage member at the same angular velocity.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I POSITIVE YARN FEEDING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention This invention relates to positive yarn feeding devices used on circular knitting machines for feeding yarn to the needles at a preselected rate bearing a predetermined relation to the speed of the knitting machine.

(2) Description of the Prior Art Positive feeding devices have been in use for a substantial period of time in association with circular knitting machines for the purpose of positively delivering to the knitting needles the exact yarn requirement. An example of a commonly used positive feeding device is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,090,215 in which the yarn is passed between a roller and a tape, with the latter being positively driven at a preselected rate bearing such predetermined relation to the speed of the knitting machine.

Another example of a positive feeding device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,444 wherein a plurality of yarn windings are formed about a drum or feed wheel which rotates at a predetermined speed, again having a preselected relation to the speed of the knitting machine so that the yarn is delivered by the feed wheel to the knitting machine needles at the desired predetermined rate. In such construction, the windings formed about the drum are advanced axially of the drum by means of a relatively complex series of lamellae movable with respect to the storage drum.

A further example of a positive feeding device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,384 wherein the yarn wound about the storage drum is advanced axially by pressure of each new winding and wherein the yarn wound about the drum is withdrawn tangentially at a rate determined by the rotational speed of the storage drum, for positive feeding. The device shown in US. Pat. No. 3,720,384 is also of relatively complex nature because it includes means for withdrawing yarn, endwise of the storage drum, in response to the demand of the knitting needles.

A yet further example of a positive feeding device is shown in US. Application Ser. No. 210,492, filed Dec. 21, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,661 dated Jan. 1, 1974, assigned to the assignee hereof. This patent also discloses a combination demand feeder and positive feeding device wherein the storage drum is stationary and the yarn withdrawn from the storage drum travels through an internal passageway within the drum on its way to the knitting needles.

All of the positive feeding devices referred to above and forming part of the prior art satisfactorily perform their function of positively feeding yarn to the knitting machine at a preselected rate. These devices, however, for reasons already pointed out above, are relatively complex, bulky, cumbersome, costly, and generally require relatively complicated installation within an exist ing knitting machine structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a positive feeding device which is of extremely simple and efficient construction, of low cost, and whose installation can be effectuated in a greatly simplified manner.

More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, the positive feeding device is carried on a bracket adapted to be mounted on a conventional knitting machine support ring. The bracket carries a base plate which mounts all the elements required for the efficient functioning of the positive feeding device, namely, a storage drum which is in fixed relation to the base plate and a yarn winding member mounted for rotation relative to the storage drum. The base plate also mounts an idler pulley required for guiding the belt or tape which drives the winding member at the predetermined rate required for positive feeding, such idler being positioned to increase the angular contact of the tape with the winding member in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction as well as to permit engagement by the idler of the tape in a manner which disengages the winding member. The winding member is generally hollow to reduce the mass thereof and thus reduce the requisite power for the driving thereof. At the same time, the base plate cooperates with the winding member to prevent any significant penetration of foreign matter within the hollow chamber of the winding member to thus avoid any adverse effect on the bearings and on the general operation of the positive feeding device.

The winding member in accordance with the invention is provided with a pair of ears for guiding the yarn as it is wound, and unwound, from the storage drum, respectively, in a way which minimizes any interference with the unimpaired travel of the yarn in its intended path. These ears are further shaped to minimize the possibility of accidental personal injury regardless of the direction in which the winding member rotates at any particular time.

As a further feature of the invention, the stationary storage drum is provided with a peripheral recess housing a finger for holding the yarn captive during the initial formation of the desired number of windings on the storage drum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of the positive feeding device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the winding member of the positive feeding device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the positive feeding device 10 comprises a mounting bracket 12 having a channel 14 for straddling a conventional support ring on a circular knitting machine to which it is securable. Such support ring may be of the type shown in US. Application Ser. No. 151,800, filed June 10, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,802,228, assigned to the assignee hereof, wherein the mounting of the bracket on the ring simultaneously provides for electrical connection to power lines as are required for electrically operated accessories such as stop motions which may be carried by the bracket. Mounting bracket 12 includes a base plate 16 either formed integrally therewith or fixedly secured thereto, such base plate constituting the main support member for positive feeding device 10.

Base plate 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, extends horizontally when bracket 12 is secured onto the knitting machine support ring, and supports an upwardly extending tubular member 18 in fixed relation therewith. A yarn winding member is mounted for rotation about tubular member 18, immediately above base plate 16, by means of roller bearings 22. A storage member or drum 24 having a central passage is fixedly secured to tubular member 18, and is therefore in fixed relation with respect to base plate 16 which is itself stationary when bracket 12 is mounted on the knitting machine support ring.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, winding member 20 comprises annular element 28 extending between spaced concentric inner and outer skirt portions 30 and 32, respectively. As best shown in FIG. 2, skirt portion 30 is secured to previously mentioned bearings 22, and outer skirt 32 defines an outer surface for engagement by a belt or a tape for driving winding member 20 rotationally relative to tubular member 18 and thus relative to storage member 24. Winding member 20 is provided with oppositely disposed ears 34 and 36, respectively, being generally triangular shaped and provided with apertured yarn guide members identified as 38 and 40, respectively. Storage member 24 comprises a generally conical section 42 which terminates into a cylindrical portion 44. As best shown in FIG. 2, yarn guide mem ber 38 on ear 34 is adjacent the conical section 42 of storage member 24 while yarn guide member on ear 36 is adjacent the cylindrical portion 44 of the storage member. Base plate 16 is provided with a circumferential lip 46 which is in close proximity to the inner surface of skirt portion 30 of winding member 20. Such arrangement makes it possible for the winding member to be generally hollow and of low mass, requiring less power for the driving thereof. At the same time, the minute gap between outer skirt 30 and circumferential lip 46 on base plate 16 prevents any significant foreign matter from penetrating the hollow winding member in the vicinity of the bearing.

Base plate 16 includes a narrowed end portion 47 for mounting idler roller 48 in fixed relation to winding member 20. In this way, the mounting of bracket 12 onto the appropriate support ring of the knitting machine automatically mounts the requisite idler roller which cooperates with the winding member for driving the latter by means of a conventional endless belt driven in predetermined relation to the drive of the knitting machine, as required for positive feeding. Furthermore, due to the fixed and close relationship of idler 48 relative to winding member 20, the driving tape can easily be operatively associated with idler member 48 and the winding member so as to provide increased surface engagement between tape and winding member to drive the latter, without otherwise altering the physical mounting of either the positive feeding device or the idler roller.

In connection with the above, it will be noted that because of the triangular shape of ears 34 and 36, regardless of the direction of rotation of the winding member, the leading edge of each of the ears is angularly and rearwardly disposed in relation to the direction of rotation, to reduce any possible harm done by inadvertent contact of the rotating ear with the hand or finger of personnel in close proximity to the knitting machine during its operation.

The positive feeding device operates as follows:

Yarn Y from a supply thereof passes through yarn tensioner 50, the aperture 52 of a lever 54 which forms part of a conventional stop motion device, and through yam guide 38 adjacent to conical section 42 of the storage member. As winding member 20 is rotated, the yarn passing through yarn guide 38 is wound upon con ical section 42 and each newly formed winding bears against the preceding winding and displaces it axially on the drum, toward the free end thereof. A plurality of windings are formed on the storage drum after which the yarn is passed through yarn guide member 40, then through the central aperture in the drum and into tubular member 18, as the yarn proceeds downwardly to the knitting machine. A pair of porcelain eyelets 41 and 43 may be provided at the opposite ends of storage member 24 and tubular member 18, respectively, for smooth engagement with the traveling yarn. Since yarn guides 38 and 40 are fixed to the winding member, and a sufficient number of windings are provided on the drum to prevent relative slippage, the yarn will be unwound at precisely the same angular velocity it is wound onto the drum to provide the positive feeding of yarn to the needles in accordance with a predetermined rate. Such rate is determined by the lineal speed of the tape which is itself controlled by a conventional adjustable tape driving pulley driven in synchronous relation with the drive of the knitting machine.

It will be evident, from the above, that the positive feeding device in accordance with the invention lends itself to a most efficient adaptation to existing knitting machines, requiring minimal alteration or modification. Furthermore, the particular construction of the winding element is instrumental in providing a low mass rotating body, thus reducing the amount of power necessary to drive the positive feeding device. ln this connection, it will be understood that a large number of positive feeding devices are simultaneously driven by a single belt or tape, from a single driving source. Further, the provision of a base plate which is adapted to mount the idler pulley and maintain the latter in fixed relation to the winding member of the positive feeding device further simplifies the mounting of the positive feeding device onto a knitting machine, while at the same time retaining maximum flexibility by enabling the positive feeding device to be driven in either direction or to be removed, temporarily, from its driving engagement with the tape.

It will further be observed that the threading of the yarn onto the positive feeding device is particularly simplified by providing ears 34 and 36 with slots 34 and 36 which communicate with yarn guide members 38 and 40, respectively.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, storage member 24 is provided on its outer surface with a recess 56 in which there is provided a yarn retaining finger 58 for holding captive the yarn during the threading process so that the desired number of windings can initially be wound onto the storage member in preparation for the operation of the feeding device. Such yarn retaining finger 58 makes it unnecessary for an individual to physically hold the yarn captive for the formation of the initial windings on the storage drum.

it is seen that the positive feeding device described' herein accomplishes its intended purpose of furnishing yarn to a circular knitting machine at the predetermined requisite rate while at the same time being embodied in a highly simplified and efficient construction substantially reducing the cost thereof and immeasurably facilitating the installation thereof.

While there is herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that in the illustrated embodiment certain changes in the details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A yarn feeding device for positively feeding yarn to the needles of a circular knitting machine at a rate proportional to the rotation of said knitting machine comprising:

a. a base plate adapted to be affixed to a frame member,

b. a two ended tubular member secured to said base plate at one end thereof and extending perpendicularly thereto,

c. a storage member affixed to said tubular member adjacent the other end thereof and in spaced relation with said base plate,

d. yarn winding means mounted for rotation about said tubular member between said base plate and said storage member and adapted to be rotated at a winding velocity proportional to the rotational speed of said knitting machine,

c. said yarn winding means comprising 1. an annular element,

2. radially spaced concentric inner and outer skirt portions extending from said annular element axially toward said base plate, said inner skirt por tion being mounted for rotation about said tubular member and said outer skirt portion defining a surface for engagement with movable tape means adapted to be driven at a speed proportional to the rotation of said knitting machine,

3. first and second yarn guide means extending from said annular element axially and away from said base plate and disposed in overlying relation with said storage member, said first yarn guide means being adapted to wind said yarn adjacent the end thereof nearer said base plate for forming on said storage member a plurality of yarn windings which advance in a direction away from said base plate, and said second yarn guide means being adapted to unwind said yarn from said storage member at the same angular velocity as the winding velocity,

(f) said first and second yarn guide means comprising first and second apertured ears circumferentially and axially spaced from each other.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said ears is substantially shaped as a triangle having one side thereof secured to said. annular element and the other two sides thereof converging in a direction away from said base plate.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said base plate is provided with a circumferential lip in close proximity to said outer skirt portion to prevent significant penetration of foreign matter therebetween.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said base plate is provided with an idler roller mounted in fixed relation with said winding means.

5. A device in accordance with claim ll, wherein said storage member is provided on the outer surface thereof with a recess in which there is disposed a yarn retaining finger. 

1. A yarn feeding device for positively feeding yarn to the needles of a circular knitting machine at a rate proportional to the rotation of said knitting machine comprising: a. a base plate adapted to be affixed to a frame member, b. a two ended tubular member secured to said base plate at one end thereof and extending perpendicularly thereto, c. a storage member affixed to said tubular member adjacent the other end thereof and in spaced relation with said base plate, d. yarn winding means mounted for rotation about said tubular member between said base plate and said storage member and adapted to be rotated at a winding velocity proportional to the rotational speed of said knitting machine, e. said yarn winding means comprising
 1. an annular element,
 2. radialLy spaced concentric inner and outer skirt portions extending from said annular element axially toward said base plate, said inner skirt portion being mounted for rotation about said tubular member and said outer skirt portion defining a surface for engagement with movable tape means adapted to be driven at a speed proportional to the rotation of said knitting machine,
 3. first and second yarn guide means extending from said annular element axially and away from said base plate and disposed in overlying relation with said storage member, said first yarn guide means being adapted to wind said yarn adjacent the end thereof nearer said base plate for forming on said storage member a plurality of yarn windings which advance in a direction away from said base plate, and said second yarn guide means being adapted to unwind said yarn from said storage member at the same angular velocity as the winding velocity, (f) said first and second yarn guide means comprising first and second apertured ears circumferentially and axially spaced from each other.
 2. radialLy spaced concentric inner and outer skirt portions extending from said annular element axially toward said base plate, said inner skirt portion being mounted for rotation about said tubular member and said outer skirt portion defining a surface for engagement with movable tape means adapted to be driven at a speed proportional to the rotation of said knitting machine,
 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said ears is substantially shaped as a triangle having one side thereof secured to said annular element and the other two sides thereof converging in a direction away from said base plate.
 3. first and second yarn guide means extending from said annular element axially and away from said base plate and disposed in overlying relation with said storage member, said first yarn guide means being adapted to wind said yarn adjacent the end thereof nearer said base plate for forming on said storage member a plurality of yarn windings which advance in a direction away from said base plate, and said second yarn guide means being adapted to unwind said yarn from said storage member at the same angular velocity as the winding velocity, (f) said first and second yarn guide means comprising first and second apertured ears circumferentially and axially spaced from each other.
 3. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said base plate is provided with a circumferential lip in close proximity to said outer skirt portion to prevent significant penetration of foreign matter therebetween.
 4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said base plate is provided with an idler roller mounted in fixed relation with said winding means.
 5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said storage member is provided on the outer surface thereof with a recess in which there is disposed a yarn retaining finger. 